Rallying call to make Risinghurst estate's fete the best yet

First published
in News
by Ben Wilkinson, Crime Reporter, also covering Barton and Wood Farm. Call me on (01865) 425427

ORGANISERS have put out a rallying call to help make the estate’s annual fete the best yet.

The Risinghurst and Sandhills Community Fete is to take place in June and the committee behind it wants to see residents come forward to help set it up, run stalls, and enjoy the day.

Organiser Barbara Naylor, who sits on the fete committee and also chairs Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council, said: “It is just to make it the bigger the better.

“We are looking to give people as much as we can for their money.”

A fete was first held on the estate in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and it was such a success the Risinghurst and Sandhills Community Fete Committee was founded and the second fete held last year.

The next fete is due to take place on Sunday, June 8, at Risinghurst Playing Field in Grovelands Road between 1.30pm and 5.30pm.

Activities on offer will include pony rides, a community picnic, raffles, a beer tent, Aunt Sally, a plant sale, and free micro-chipping for dogs.

Mrs Naylor said: “We will try to keep it the same format because it has been very successful and it attracted 500 or so last year.

“But we have things that are different as well as the traditional things that proved successful last year.”

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She said the fete was a good event for the estate’s community spirit, adding: “You meet people from your street that you perhaps do not see often. I think community is important in this day and age.

“Last year it worked as the people came out in droves – something is needed to bring the community together.”

The fete will be opened by Oxford City Council member for Risinghurst Dee Sinclair on her last day as Oxford’s Lord Mayor. The Labour councillor opened the fete on June 9 last year on her first day as Lord Mayor. She said: “It was a real success last year and I am delighted to be able to open it again.

“It will be lovely to go back this year and hopefully the weather will be just as good.

“It is something that brings all of the community together.

“It takes a great deal of organising, but I think the hard work pays off when you see people enjoying themselves.”

To host a stall costs £5 for charities and £10 for other organisations. Entry is 50p.